**A/N** Glad to be getting good reactions! I truly hope I don't have to cut this story too short... less than 48 hours before school starts.... :HYPERVENTILATES:
Some of you asked about the rules of this particular challenge: well, in it SS is a secret writer of Mills and Boon type novels, but no one knows. Hermione has to find out, and there must be a reference to at least one of Snape's novels in the fic (I got that base covered... hehe). There are also some... *ahem* interesting phrases I must incorporate into my story, so if you see anything particularly strange you'll know why. So, without further ado, here is today's fifth chaper of Quill of Fire! :)
~~
During the next potions class, Snape felt more unnerved than he ever had in his life. He was acutely aware of Hermione's unwavering stare, but he didn't know the motivation behind it. He decided not to say anything about it, because he feared that even though he'd embarrass her, he'd also embarrass himself by reacting. Unsure of what else to do, he told the class to work on a potion until the end of class, then sat behind his desk and tried to ignore Hermione's eyes, which were still moving across his face. There was a profound sense of relief when she took her eyes away to work on the potion, but this relief was short-lived. Hermione was an extremely fast worker, and before long she was once again fixated on him.
Finally, Snape took a deep breath and met her eyes, keeping his face perfectly impassive. He desperately tried to sort out the emotions he saw in her expression, but was too shocked at the obvious lack of hatred to sort them out. Then, a miracle happened!
Hermione smiled at him. A warm, genuine, friendly smile! Snape wanted so badly to smile back, to take time to relish this divine favor that had been bestowed upon him...
He sneered at her and looked away as though her smile disgusted him. Part of him felt relieved when she turned her attention elsewhere, but another part of him was screaming angrily at his poor judgement. If only he had held on to that smile but a second longer! Already he sorely felt the loss of Hermione's attentions.
~~
Hermione had expected Snape to scowl at her the way he did, but it still hurt her feelings just a bit. She wondered why some men had to be so damned difficult. It wasn't as if her love would hurt him...
Had she just thought love? She had, hadn't she? Hermione sighed. This situation only got more impossible by the moment. It wasn't completely impossible, of course, but Merlin knew it was close. How was she going to get Snape to admit his love for her? He'd never do it willingly, and if she told him about the letter he'd be furious!
Hermione sighed, assuaging her frustration by concentrating completely on the potion. Still, she couldn't prevent her eyes from peeking up at him now and then, trying unsuccessfully to catch his eye. Hermione wanted to stare into those obsidian pools for hours on end, though she doubted she could get him to oblige her at this point.
Giving up until the end of the period, Hermione made sure to pass very closely to him on her way out the door, just millimeters away from making actual contact... she smiled slyly when she heard his breath catch slightly, knowing he wouldn't notice her amusement.
~~
The Holidays were approaching, and Hermione wanted to do something for Severus (as she'd begun to refer to him in her mind), although she'd have to do it surreptitiously.
Everyone's main concern, however, was the Yule Ball--the first since Hermione's fourth year. Lavender and Parvati were more excited than anyone, and Hermione spent the week leading up to the ball avoiding them as much as possible. Avoiding them not only meant avoiding irritating gossip, but also a most undesirable makeover.
Hermione and Ginny teamed up and decided to get dressed together, thus avoiding the accusation that they weren't acting as though they cared at all, and also having the excuse of needed girl talk to keep everyone away. Lavender and Parvati never stood a chance of getting into Hermione's room.
Ginny looked stunning by the time they were finished, and according to Ginny, Hermione looked even better. Ginny had chosen pale blue dress robes that set off her hair and eyes, and Hermione had donned crimson robes that accented her pale skin and somehow managed to make her eyes seem more arresting. Even Hermione's hair was behaving that night--after a valiant struggle, Hermione and Ginny had managed to force it into an elegant updo, with stylish wisps of hair framing her face and resting alluringly against her neck.
Their light makeup jobs were also expertly done, and Hermione's mirror began to chatter excitedly when they stood side by side, admiring themselves. Hermione's eyes shone brightly, accented by the brilliantly applied eyeliner and a small amount of glitter. Her lips were now rosy and glossy, and completely kissable. Playfully, Hermione pouted at her own reflection, admiring the effect of the gloss she had used. Maybe she'd have to try it more often.
"Don't you two look beautiful! I swear, any man you girls want tonight, you will get--unless he's an absolute idiot or playing for the other team!" The mirror continued its compliments nonstop for a few minutes, but then the girls had to head down to the common room. Ginny giggled, and Hermione grinned, too. She hoped the mirror was right when it said she could get any man--or one man, really. It was just that he happened to be an extremely difficult one...
When they made their way down to the common room, Harry and Ron turned and looked at them, their eyes bulging. Ron's jaw nearly hit the ground, and Hermone could practically see Harry's drool when he got a good look at Ginny. Hermione had chosen not to take a date, although she had promised all of her friends at least one dance. Of course, she had also promised one to someone special--he just didn't happen to know it yet.
Smiling brightly, Hermione accepted Ron's arm and allowed him to lead her to the Great Hall. She prayed he wouldn't read too much into the friendly gesture--she could tell by his blush that he was still smitten. A pang of guilt shot through her, but it ended quickly. Hermione knew that the situation couldn't be helped, and chose to make the best of it. She hoped Severus noticed all of the trouble she'd gone to for him.
Some of you asked about the rules of this particular challenge: well, in it SS is a secret writer of Mills and Boon type novels, but no one knows. Hermione has to find out, and there must be a reference to at least one of Snape's novels in the fic (I got that base covered... hehe). There are also some... *ahem* interesting phrases I must incorporate into my story, so if you see anything particularly strange you'll know why. So, without further ado, here is today's fifth chaper of Quill of Fire! :)
~~
During the next potions class, Snape felt more unnerved than he ever had in his life. He was acutely aware of Hermione's unwavering stare, but he didn't know the motivation behind it. He decided not to say anything about it, because he feared that even though he'd embarrass her, he'd also embarrass himself by reacting. Unsure of what else to do, he told the class to work on a potion until the end of class, then sat behind his desk and tried to ignore Hermione's eyes, which were still moving across his face. There was a profound sense of relief when she took her eyes away to work on the potion, but this relief was short-lived. Hermione was an extremely fast worker, and before long she was once again fixated on him.
Finally, Snape took a deep breath and met her eyes, keeping his face perfectly impassive. He desperately tried to sort out the emotions he saw in her expression, but was too shocked at the obvious lack of hatred to sort them out. Then, a miracle happened!
Hermione smiled at him. A warm, genuine, friendly smile! Snape wanted so badly to smile back, to take time to relish this divine favor that had been bestowed upon him...
He sneered at her and looked away as though her smile disgusted him. Part of him felt relieved when she turned her attention elsewhere, but another part of him was screaming angrily at his poor judgement. If only he had held on to that smile but a second longer! Already he sorely felt the loss of Hermione's attentions.
~~
Hermione had expected Snape to scowl at her the way he did, but it still hurt her feelings just a bit. She wondered why some men had to be so damned difficult. It wasn't as if her love would hurt him...
Had she just thought love? She had, hadn't she? Hermione sighed. This situation only got more impossible by the moment. It wasn't completely impossible, of course, but Merlin knew it was close. How was she going to get Snape to admit his love for her? He'd never do it willingly, and if she told him about the letter he'd be furious!
Hermione sighed, assuaging her frustration by concentrating completely on the potion. Still, she couldn't prevent her eyes from peeking up at him now and then, trying unsuccessfully to catch his eye. Hermione wanted to stare into those obsidian pools for hours on end, though she doubted she could get him to oblige her at this point.
Giving up until the end of the period, Hermione made sure to pass very closely to him on her way out the door, just millimeters away from making actual contact... she smiled slyly when she heard his breath catch slightly, knowing he wouldn't notice her amusement.
~~
The Holidays were approaching, and Hermione wanted to do something for Severus (as she'd begun to refer to him in her mind), although she'd have to do it surreptitiously.
Everyone's main concern, however, was the Yule Ball--the first since Hermione's fourth year. Lavender and Parvati were more excited than anyone, and Hermione spent the week leading up to the ball avoiding them as much as possible. Avoiding them not only meant avoiding irritating gossip, but also a most undesirable makeover.
Hermione and Ginny teamed up and decided to get dressed together, thus avoiding the accusation that they weren't acting as though they cared at all, and also having the excuse of needed girl talk to keep everyone away. Lavender and Parvati never stood a chance of getting into Hermione's room.
Ginny looked stunning by the time they were finished, and according to Ginny, Hermione looked even better. Ginny had chosen pale blue dress robes that set off her hair and eyes, and Hermione had donned crimson robes that accented her pale skin and somehow managed to make her eyes seem more arresting. Even Hermione's hair was behaving that night--after a valiant struggle, Hermione and Ginny had managed to force it into an elegant updo, with stylish wisps of hair framing her face and resting alluringly against her neck.
Their light makeup jobs were also expertly done, and Hermione's mirror began to chatter excitedly when they stood side by side, admiring themselves. Hermione's eyes shone brightly, accented by the brilliantly applied eyeliner and a small amount of glitter. Her lips were now rosy and glossy, and completely kissable. Playfully, Hermione pouted at her own reflection, admiring the effect of the gloss she had used. Maybe she'd have to try it more often.
"Don't you two look beautiful! I swear, any man you girls want tonight, you will get--unless he's an absolute idiot or playing for the other team!" The mirror continued its compliments nonstop for a few minutes, but then the girls had to head down to the common room. Ginny giggled, and Hermione grinned, too. She hoped the mirror was right when it said she could get any man--or one man, really. It was just that he happened to be an extremely difficult one...
When they made their way down to the common room, Harry and Ron turned and looked at them, their eyes bulging. Ron's jaw nearly hit the ground, and Hermone could practically see Harry's drool when he got a good look at Ginny. Hermione had chosen not to take a date, although she had promised all of her friends at least one dance. Of course, she had also promised one to someone special--he just didn't happen to know it yet.
Smiling brightly, Hermione accepted Ron's arm and allowed him to lead her to the Great Hall. She prayed he wouldn't read too much into the friendly gesture--she could tell by his blush that he was still smitten. A pang of guilt shot through her, but it ended quickly. Hermione knew that the situation couldn't be helped, and chose to make the best of it. She hoped Severus noticed all of the trouble she'd gone to for him.